Any suggestions for Facebook pages or Twitter accounts to follow regarding Arabian racing? My interest is especially piqued since I've got into endurance riding, and so many of those horses competing are from racing lines.

Starine wrote:Any suggestions for Facebook pages or Twitter accounts to follow regarding Arabian racing? My interest is especially piqued since I've got into endurance riding, and so many of those horses competing are from racing lines.

NNAPOLIS — A bond bill funding race course improvements at Fair Hill, which would help pave the way for the site to host a world-class equestrian event, is expected to pass the state legislature.

State Sen. Wayne Norman (R-Harford/Cecil) said a hearing for the bill “went particularly well” and that he expects the bill to pass.

The bill, which has been a top priority for Cecil County’s state representatives in the House of Delegates and the Maryland Senate, would fund engineering designs for significant upgrades to the site’s race course.

Gov. Larry Hogan included the funding in his proposed capital budget, but the bond requires passage by both houses.

Fair Hill is on the short list to host a four-star horse eventing competition — an event on par with the Olympics in magnitude — in 2019, and this bond bill is paramount for Fair Hill being selected. Without the bond, Fair Hill’s facility may not be adequate to host an event of this scale.

Cecil County officials have estimated that the economic impact of an annual four-star event could grow to $30 million annually.

Four-star events are the pinnacle of horse eventing and draw the top competitors from around the world. Horse eventing has been described as a triathlon for horses, testing their strength and stamina as they navigate grueling courses.

Proposed improvements to the course include building a new grandstand, widening the course and constructing an irrigation system to soften the course. The latter two improvements are aimed at reducing the risk of injuries for horses and riders.

If passed, the Maryland Board of Public Works would be authorized to buy a $250,000 bond, which would require a local match of $250,000, raising a total of $500,000 for the designs. Funds would be allocated to the National Steeple Chase Foundation, a nonprofit raising money on behalf of the Fair Hill Foundation.

‘60 Minutes’ to Feature American Steeplechase Racing on Sunday Broadcast

This Sunday’s edition of CBS’s “60 Minutes” will include a segment featuring the Timber Races steeplechase events, held in several Mid-Atlantic states. “60 Minutes” correspondent and “CBS This Morning” co-host Charlie Rose reports on the prestige and competition of the Timber Races, which culminate in the Maryland Hunt Cup event on April 29.

The “60 Minutes” segment will include strategically placed cameras that capture the athleticism and excitement of steeplechase racing from a rider’s perspective. The Timber Races, named for the wooden fences that horses and riders must jump over and navigate through, harken back to steeplechase racing’s origins in Ireland over 250 years ago.

Fourth race. $50,000 Temple Gwathmey hurdle stakes going 2 1/2 miles.The 2017 race drew six runners, including four from the Fisher barn – Mr. Hot Stuff, Schoodic, Scorpiancer and Hinterland. Ricky Hendriks (off to a great start this year) sends out Swansea Mile while Voss counters with Portrade. Several are prepping for the Grade 1 Iroquois in Nashville, Tenn. May 13. Mr. Hot Stuff won the 2015 Gwathmey and was beaten a neck in that year’s Iroquois. The former Kentucky Derby starter has won five over jumps and will be difficult to handle. His stablemate Scorpiancer battled Rawnaq all last year (including a second in the Gwathmey) and shoulders high weight of 158 (up to 20 more than his rivals). Good race. How soft will the ground be?

This Sunday’s edition of CBS’s “60 Minutes” will include a segment featuring the Timber Races steeplechase events, held in several Mid-Atlantic states. “60 Minutes” correspondent and “CBS This Morning” co-host Charlie Rose reports on the prestige and competition of the Timber Races, which culminate in the Maryland Hunt Cup event on April 29.

The “60 Minutes” segment will include strategically placed cameras that capture the athleticism and excitement of steeplechase racing from a rider’s perspective. The Timber Races, named for the wooden fences that horses and riders must jump over and navigate through, harken back to steeplechase racing’s origins in Ireland over 250 years ago.